Courses

Jaguar Jumps Information Session on ICCB Grant

Jaguar Jumps Information Session on ICCB Grant

Course Fee: Free

RSVP Here

Date: Monday, July 28, from 10 to 11 a.m. OR Wednesday, July 30, from 6 to 7 p.m.

Course Description: The Jaguar Jumps Program at GovState is designed to support students with intellectual and developmental disabilities as they transition to higher education and workforce development, empowering them with choices for a future beyond their current transition programs. This year-long initiative introduces participants to valuable internship opportunities with our partners at Devices for the Disabled and Work Together Chicago, or allows them to experience a college class directly at Governors State University. Scholarships are available to support enrollment costs for new Jaguar Jumps participants.

We invite school administrators, families, and students to attend an information session via Zoom to learn more about the upcoming program this fall. 

Here are the highlights of the program:

Exciting New Opportunities: The ICCB Grant!

  • Heading: Scholarship & Enrichment for Our New Cohort!
  • Key Points:
    • Funding Provided: Through a generous grant from the Illinois Community College Board (ICCB), we are able to offer scholarships.
    • Program Overview: Jaguar Jumps is a two-semester program, each 10 weeks, held virtually on a weekday with some on-campus activities. It supports persons with disabilities aged 17+ transitioning to higher education or the workforce.
    • Scholarship Value: Covers tuition to the Jaguar Jumps program, a $600 value, for 20 new students! (No cost to students for program participation).
    • Pathways for Scholarship Recipients (Fall 2025 & Spring 2026):
      • 10 students can choose to take 3 credit hours at Governors State University (no cost, grant covers tuition).
      • 10 students can choose an internship through our valued community partners.
    • Illinois Transition Conference: Our new Jaguar Jumps cohort will participate in the Illinois Transition Conference in November. The grant will cover hotel, travel expenses, and registration fees for 10 students to attend.
    • Field Trips: The grant will also cover costs for field trips to our internship sites.
    • Travel Support: Students receive travel vouchers up to $80 per term (and more) to get to campus.

This course contains no sessions
Click here to be notified about the next scheduled program.

Jaguar Jumps Registration, Internship Onboarding & Scholarship Award Day for Fall

Jaguar Jumps Registration, Internship Onboarding & Scholarship Award Day for Fall

Fee: Free

Date: August 15, 2025

Time: 2:00 to 4:00 PM

Event Description: Prepare for a successful fall semester with Jaguar Jumps! Join us for our Registration, Internship Onboarding, and Scholarship Award Day. This event offers a crucial opportunity to complete your registration, get ready for your upcoming internships, and celebrate the awarding of scholarships. We'll be welcoming Tina Hughes Burke, who will discuss academic advising and provide essential guidance for your academic success. Plus, you'll have the chance to meet the GovState JJ Ally faculty, building connections with mentors and supporters who will be there for you throughout your journey. It's a day of preparation, opportunity, and celebration!


Friday, August 15, 2025

Jaguar Jumps 1 (JJ1): Post High School Advancement for Individuals with Intellectual Disabilities

Jaguar Jumps 1 (JJ1): Post High School Advancement for Individuals with Intellectual Disabilities

Course Fee: $299 

Dates: September 10 to December 3, 2025

Times:  Wednesdays 4:30 to 6 p.m. 

Course Description: Introduces college readiness concepts to individuals with intellectual disabilities who are striving for college readiness. Must pass initial interview with GovState staff and have completed high school hours. Limited to individuals who qualify based on screening tools and agree to baseline assessments and intake process with GovState staff. This course is one of a series of courses offered through the School of Extended Learning. The course materials and schedule prepare individuals with mild/moderate intellectual disabilities to understand the rigors of maintaining a college schedule or work training program schedule. The course is specifically designed for individuals who wish to develop skills to assist them to obtain employment and/or engage in their community and the world around them.

Restrictions: Limited to individuals who qualify based on screening tools, agree to baseline assessments.

Upon successful completion of this course, students should be able to:

Attend a 90-minute course session without interruption
Demonstrate readiness to participate in the course session by having all materials needed at hand
Demonstrate how to access a library online system and appropriately interact with library staff
Advocate for personal learning supports
Identify available university and community supports
Identify local DRS counselors, government leaders, civic leaders
Instructional Modality:  Lecture/discussion. 75% synchronous online via Zoom, 25% face to face

Required Materials: 

No required texts
Materials will be distributed electronically to all students and also stored on the Blackboard course shell
Internet connection (DSL, LAN, or cable connection desirable)
Access to BB/Website/Other
System Requirement for BB
This course requires minimum system (computer) requirements. Students are responsible for all software downloads, upgrades, updates, etc.
Blackboard Learn 9.1 Always run a "tune up" when using BlackBoard Any questions you might have regarding BlackBoard can be found in Student Helpdesk in the BlackBoard Login page (GSU)
Java Runtime Environment Java is required for Blackboard Learn 9.1. Download it from http://www.java.com/en/ Always check to make sure the latest version of Java is installed on your computer. Apple's MacOS10.x can ensure the latest version of Java for OSX by running the Apple Update.
Acceptable Document Files The following document file types are considered acceptable for use in Blackboard and for submitting assignment work to the Blackboard system:
Microsoft Word: .doc,.docx, Microsoft Excel: .xls, .xlsx, Microsoft PowerPoint: .ppt, .pptx, Rich Text Format: .rtf, Adobe Acrobat: .pdf, Image form: .jpg, .jpeg, .gif,.png.  (To determine the type of file you are submitting, simply right click the unopened file and select the "properties" tab)

September 10, 2025 to December 3, 2025, Hybrid

Jaguar Jumps 2 (JJ2): Post High School Advancement for Individuals with Intellectual Disabilities

Jaguar Jumps 2 (JJ2): Post High School Advancement for Individuals with Intellectual Disabilities

Course Fee: $299 

Dates: September 10 to December 3, 2025

Times:  Wednesdays 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. 

Course Description: Introduces college readiness concepts to individuals with intellectual disabilities who are striving for college readiness. Must pass initial interview with GovState staff and have completed high school hours. Limited to individuals who qualify based on screening tools and agree to baseline assessments and intake process with GovState staff. This course is one of a series of courses offered through the School of Extended Learning. The course materials and schedule prepare individuals with mild/moderate intellectual disabilities to understand the rigors of maintaining a college schedule or work training program schedule. The course is specifically designed for individuals who wish to develop skills to assist them to obtain employment and/or engage in their community and the world around them.

Restrictions: Limited to individuals who qualify based on screening tools, agree to baseline assessments.

Upon successful completion of this course, students should be able to:

  1. Attend a 90-minute course session without interruption
  2. Demonstrate readiness to participate in the course session by having all materials needed at hand
  3. Demonstrate how to access a library online system and appropriately interact with library staff
  4. Advocate for personal learning supports
  5. Identify available university and community supports
  6. Identify local DRS counselors, government leaders, civic leaders

Instructional Modality:  Lecture/discussion. 75% synchronous online via Zoom, 25% face to face

Required Materials: 

  • No required texts
  • Materials will be distributed electronically to all students and also stored on the Blackboard course shell
  • Internet connection (DSL, LAN, or cable connection desirable)
  • Access to BB/Website/Other

  • September 10, 2025 to December 3, 2025, Hybrid